CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

Rich Miller — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:39:52 -0000

===It forwards a political ethics issue that right now the Dems are losingâ€¦bad===

Yeah, but is it one that anyone outside this blog really understands or cares about? So, even if the GOPs "win," do they really win? They vote for a tax hike for this?

Re: Question of the day

steve schnorf — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:22:57 -0000

I've been saying for 3 months that this budget created an opportunity for us Rs to demand reforms in return for our support on passing and funding an adequate budget.

The first two demands were Medicaid reform and pension reform. Now redistricting reform has been added to the list. The Ds should have taken the first offer, because redistricting changes are harder for them to swallow than the other two.

On the other hand, for any of the elected officials or any of us here to try to portray one party or the other as the ones at fault is specious. As an earlier poster said, the people about to get screwed don't care about partisan politics, they just want their government to stop behaving like a dysfunctional family at Thanksgiving dinner. I don't think that's too much to expect.

The Rs should keep the high ground, insisting on long term reforms, and straightforwardly state that they will support necessary budget cuts and revenue enhancements in return for those reforms.

Re: Question of the day

The Court Jester — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:05:13 -0000

This dem spin is laughable... Of course it's a legit request. It forwards a political ethics issue that right now the Dems are losing...bad.. Aren't Republican for lower taxes and less government?

Re: Question of the day

Boxing Cross — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:54:50 -0000

Wow
BoxedTom sits there and talks about the 2012 election while seniors suffer
Another coup for the circular firing squad
Fire, Aim Ready!

Re: Question of the day

Six Degrees of Separation — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:50:06 -0000

47th-

I think offensive ends were called "forwards" back in the leather helmet days. Maybe VanMan is older than he lets on.

I am shocked at the number of people that (oppose) a tax increase.

One governor in jail, another on the way, a gridlocked, bickering legislature, and an economy in the tank will tend to do that, right or wrong.

Re: Question of the day

47th Ward — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:18:28 -0000

===How utterly ridiculous. When a quarterback throws a wild pass, it isnâ€™t the fault of the forwards when the other team intercepts.===

Mixed metaphor? Where do the "forwards" line up on the grid iron?

Re: Question of the day

VanillaMan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:58:41 -0000

...the failure of legislation to pass falls on ever person who votes no

How utterly ridiculous. When a quarterback throws a wild pass, it isn't the fault of the forwards when the other team intercepts.

What is the point of being in the majority party if you take no responsibilities and expect total loyalty behind each bill presented? Besides self interest, that is.

Your statement is not very bipartisan - or correct.

Re: Question of the day

State Rep Mike Fortner — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:54:25 -0000

A number of posters, and the Collins report, have cited Iowa as a model for redistricting. Though there are many commendable features to the Iowa system, most experts I've spoken to think it would fall short in Illinois. The main problem is that Iowa is a very homogeneous state without the concentrations of large minority populations. The requirements of the federal Voting Rights Act complicates redistricting in Illinois. My proposal mentioned earlier in the thread borrows some from Iowa, but uses public input to better balance the needs of the state.

Re: Question of the day

VanillaMan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:53:31 -0000

That will depend on how you define "viable". You are not the only one wondering about the GOP.

As to evidence, it appears that there are some names listed as GOP in the General Assembly.

Re: Question of the day

bored now — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:53:40 -0000

vanman, do you have evidence of the existence of a viable second party in the state? could you tell me what party that might be?

just askin. i don't get the impression that illinois republicans have any interest in being a viable political party here...

Re: Question of the day

Will County Woman — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:33:34 -0000

yes, the republicans are right to stand firm and demand significant reforms; redistricting reform is of crucial importance. if no significant reforms now on the heels of govs blago and ryan, when? Six years of gross overspending has made the republican party, which objected to the gross overspending, understandably angry and on guard. the tribune editorial praising the republican leaders for standing firm was/is 100% correct.

a tax increase during a recession is just not good public policy. but, good public policy notwithstanding this is illinois so...whatever.

if the gov. is so concerned about cutting services to the poor, why didn't he play hardball with AFSCME more? what happened to his talk of "shared sacrifice" when he made his budget proposal? beyond that, with 30 years + in state government whether as a reform advocate or elected official, the gov. had to have known that a tax increase was a non-starter and likely d.o.a when he proposed it, so why didn't he go about it a more strategic way? sure a tax increase of some kind was likely inevitable, but why didn't he hold it as a last resort, though? why didn't he steal thunder by making painful and necessary cuts first, and then finalize with a tax increase (preferably a temporary one) to make his budget more palatable? why didn't the democrat controlled gen. assembly carpe diem on may 31st and work together (house and senate) to pass a budget? everyone knew that if the republicans had a say, they'd have a lot to say and would have some demands. when quinn became gov., it was predicted how this would all play out, so he could have and should have done more to avert the present situation. is anyone advising him???????????

at this point, and in fact all along, it is in the taxpayer's interest for the budget to be cut and social services gutted. social services need to be re-done/re-worked so that funding is allocated in a leaner, meaner and more sustainable way. I am sick and tired of seeing the poor and vulnerable exploited every year by politicians during budget time, and then largely ignored the rest of the year. it's unfortunate when politicians make the decision as to who will suffer first and perhaps most, and it's interesting how politicians always opt to go the social services route first and most. it's such a terrible political tactic and a gross display of hypocrisy, abuse and exploitation.

Re: Question of the day

dupage dan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:22:26 -0000

I am sure there is a fair and equitable way to properly redistrict the state. I have heard the Iowa way involves a process that appears to be free of partisan meddling. If true, we should adopt that - better than what we have now.

I doubt very much that MJM will allow that to happen. He is fixated on forcing the GOP to vote for the budget/tax increase in sufficient numbers so that he can shield his majority. We are all vicitms of his gamesmanship, taxpayers, recipients, vendors and state employees.

I am not convinced the GOP has learned its' lesson re past messes. However, they are using the page out of Emmanuels playbook and to some good effect. Stick to your guns!

Re: Question of the day

Captain America — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:04:45 -0000

I am absolutely in favor of compact and contiguous districts, subject to some protections for minority represntation. In fact I like the Iowa system. Drawing districts favorable to either party based upon the winner of a coin flip. seems absurd to me, regardless of which party wins the toss.

The Republican leadership position that the human services budget crisis is "manufactured" is equally absurd.

I question the linkage of the two issues the human services budget crisis/income tax increase. It may be as someone else suggested a smokescreen to try to escape culpability for not doing what everyone knows needs to be done - increase income taxes - temporary or otherwise.

But a ballot 2010 ballot referendum proposing the end of gerrymanding seems like a small price to pay for an inocme tax increase to forestall the inhuman reductions in human services funding. A ballot referndum on the issue seems like a small price to pay.

If I were Madigan, I would consider Republican votes for the "anti gerrymandering" referendum would be good trade. After all Democrats might lose the coin flip.

Therefore, I think they should talk "Turkey" - pun intended -nd get something constructive done to resolve the human services defunding crisis next week.

Re: Question of the day

Ghost — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:03:39 -0000

=== The stalemate we are witnessing is their doing. ====

False, unless every GOP members votes to support a bill and it still doesnt pass, then the failure of legislation to pass falls on ever person who votes no. We organize around political parties, but each [party is made up of individuals who have authority to cast votes. Every individual is repsonsible for their vote.

Re: Question of the day

Rod Burton — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:45:00 -0000

I am generally in favor of redistricting.

Re: Question of the day

reformer — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:42:21 -0000

MMadigan won't give away his map-drawing prerogative. Republicans know that, which is why they've made a deal-killer one of their non-negotiable demands. Then they can blame the
Dems for the consequences.

It's a truism that both parties engage in political calculations. The fact is that Quinn can't cut most of the budget due to federal regs and various exigencies, such as paying off bonds. I expect we'll see both huge reductions in the state burocracy and in grant funding.

Re: Question of the day

VanillaMan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:35:34 -0000

A one-party state, which Illinois has been for the past decade, is a loser. Without a vibrant opposition party, the Party in Power has become paralyzed over it's own policies. There has been few bipartisan solutions needed to keep this state from hitting the rocks.

We've been in this rut years before this recession started! Blaming Blagojevich and the economy for our state government's stupidity and refusal to reform should not be accepted. The crisis we face is the result of bad government administration and policies smashing into an economic recession.

The Democrats are offering a Band-Aid "tax me more" solution that a majority of Illinoisans recognize as short-term. They are parading their human shields before us and threaten to hurt their own voter base if the rest of us don't cough up more of our money. It is utter nonsense.

Quinn and the Democrats will not cut the budget. They will not slash jobs. They will not reform the government they have wrecked. They will not do these things because they will be committing political suicide. They have painted all of us into a corner and expect a toothless GOP to shoulder the blame.

If the Democrats want to do something, they can the political power to do it. They can find GOP votes to wear as a fig leaf for their electoral games next year if they compromise with the GOP on issues a majority of Illinoisans want - governmental, budgetary and ethical reforms. The Illinois Democrats can do whatever they want.

The stalemate we are witnessing is their doing.

Re: Question of the day

Rich Miller — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:26:54 -0000

===This present â€œcrisisâ€ and the shutting down of vendor programs on July 1, however, is very contrived. 90% of budget money is already there, but the Dems are shifting the pain of the last 10% on the vendors to create a â€œcrisisâ€ so they can get their tax increase.===

Mainly because that's where almost all of the last 10 percent is.

Try a little research.

Re: Question of the day

discgolfer — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:24:52 -0000

Reform of the current legislative redistricting is a must. It is one of the key recommendations of Quinn's reform commission. The Iowa model has been cited numberous times by reformers as a fair and effective method of legislative redistricting. The Democrats should agree to it as part of budget bargaining, but obviously won't because it risks ruining a favored incumbent practice: "I pick my voters". Reform is what is sorely needed in this state, and any means used to get it is legitimate.

Re: Question of the day

ProgressinIllinois — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:22:49 -0000

Do we need redistricting reform? YES. Should it be included in budget negotiations? NO. We need to focus on the thousands of jobs that will be lost, the billions we will forfeit in federal funds, and the people that will lose necessary services if the General Assembly does not get its act together. Now as a progressive democrat, of course I agree with finding a better way to redistrict our legislature and better serve the constituents. Democrats in both houses should jump with joy at this proposal. But we need to FOCUS. Stop the politicking and get down to business.

Re: Question of the day

Ghost — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:22:12 -0000

=== I think itâ€™s legitimate. If youâ€™re taking the position that some further reforms need to take place before you increase taxes, Iâ€™m cool with that.

If the GOP Tops think thatâ€™s the cover they need to make a deal, I think the Dems should take it.

Even if such a referendum is passed, Iâ€™m not convinced a new redistricting method means an end to Dem control. The state seems to be drifting that way on its own. ===

My thoughts exactly. Its time to talk bipartisan support for new taxes. The reasonable way to negotiate for GOP support is to give something in exchange. This give up overall I think is reasonable. Nothing wrong with allowing the GOP a gratious way to support the increase by identifying a substantive reform in exchange for their support.

This is the light at the end of the tunnel and the Dems better leap at it or be burned at the stake.

Re: Question of the day

Bubs — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:14:52 -0000

L.S.

Th budget deficit, unfortunately, is not made up. The Legistature spent us into this corner. The GOP wants permanent spending cuts across the board as part of the solution.

This present "crisis" and the shutting down of vendor programs on July 1, however, is very contrived. 90% of budget money is already there, but the Dems are shifting the pain of the last 10% on the vendors to create a "crisis" so they can get their tax increase.

Stop being a sucker.

Re: Question of the day

Bubs — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:08:53 -0000

Gregor,

Rodogno is right - if the GOP gives in and allows a tax increase to get the Democratic leadership out of this jam without reforms, they are fools, for the reform proposals will instantly turn "DOA" the moment the tax increase is passed.

From the Trenchs-

Don't you see that things that should be the last cut, like mental health services, are the FIRST being cut under this Democratic Pressure Tactic? And they are forcing it at a time when there is money to keep your program going. They are just trying to force the GOP by triggering appeals just like yours. Your program will stop due to Democratic maneuvering, not the GOP.

The Democrats have enough Democratic votes to pass their tax increase in the Senate, and are but one vote short in the House. So why don't they have it done? Because Democratic legislators are scared to vote for the increase unless Republicans give them political cover by going along, to give the excuse that it was "bipartisan."

Wait, wait, don't tell me, so you mean their might be POLITICS going on the Democratic side of this? My goodness, I thought they were just out to serve the people, and it was those evil Republicans playing politics!

Re: Question of the day

L.S. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:59:22 -0000

As a policy measure, it's all fine and good to debate a computer generated map.

For Cross and Co. to use it as a negoiation point this late in the game is at best disingenious, at worst shameful.

But then again,I'm sure they don't see it that way since the budget deficit is totally made up and the impending crisis is all manufactured. And the deficit is all the Democrats fault...if there was one...which there isn't...cause the Dems are making it all up.

Re: Question of the day

Greg B. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:57:23 -0000

From the Trenches,

With unemployment topping 10% in Illinois, income tax revenues plummeting how can you justify causing the pain and suffering to Illinois taxpayers? No one has the money. It's not there. We're caput. We're broke. Taking more of what people don't have isn't going to help and it will pro-long the suffering over the long-term.

There are other programs fully funded in the budget. Medicaid screams for reform. It's the Democrats throwing you overboard, not those of us who recognize that tax increases are not and have not been the answer. The D's cut human services to pay for their Medicaid expansion so families earning $60K per year could be dependent Democrat voters. Why don't you go get that money back?

You guys are local heros, I get that. You perform a function very well that used to be much more expensive and done much more poorly.

When Pat Quinn released his first doomsday budget he said cops would be fired, and the fire department would be cut, prisoners would be released. No one bought it. Now, you guys are on the chopping block. No one is buying it. Your fight is with him, not the taxpayer.